When it comes to beating the summer heat, nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a hot car. And truth be told, it doesn’t have to be summer for your vehicle’s interior to reach breathtaking temperatures. On a sunny, 70° day, your car’s interior temperature can raise as much as 40° F in one hour. How’s that for a quick bake oven!?
But regardless of what time of the year it is, the agonizing heat that’s stored in your car can be a real pain. From the moment you open the door you’re blasted with breathtaking heat, then assaulted by a scorching steering wheel that leaves your hands burned and requiring skin grafts, smoldering seat belt buckles that make it impossible to click it or ticket, and blazing leather seats that’ll roast your chestnuts. None of which makes for a pleasant driving experience.
But fortunately for all of us, there are some pretty nice car cooling gadgets on the market that will help keep your car cool this summer, or any other season for that matter. If you’re ready to keep your car cooler and beat the heat, keep reading to check out some of the coolest products available for turning your car into the ice box you desire!
1) Electric Dash Fans
A great way to cool your car off quickly is with an electric dashboard fan. These fans typically plug into your 12V cigarette lighter socket so you never have to worry about dead batteries or finding a way to provide power to it. You mount them via adhesive pads that stick directly to your dashboard, or wherever you see fit. The best thing about these fans is that, although small, they are super powerful. Some users have even put frozen water bottles behind the fan to create a makeshift AC unit.
The best electric dash fan I have found is the EXCOUP 12-Speed Electric Dash Fan. They come in 4 different sizes ranging from 3″ to 5″. Some models (depending on size) come with an easy to read digital display that shows the current temperature and humidity level. The dual-head fans rotate 360 degrees providing a stream of cool air regardless of placement and the 12-speed selection makes it easy to adjust airflow as needed.
Pros:
- Multiple Sizes to Choose From
- 12-Speed
- Powerful Fans
- Easy to Install
- Quiet
Cons:
- Not All Sizes Have Digital Display
- 3″ Model Battery Operated Only
2) Electric Headrest Fan
Headrest fans are great for your backseat passengers, whether that’s your kids or your fur babies. They mount directly to the headrest of either one of the front seats and can be pointed in any direction, providing a strong breeze of refreshing air to anyone sitting in its path. Like the dashboard fan, these also plug into a 12V cigarette lighter socket so keeping up with, or recharging batteries isn’t an issue.
If you’re backseat companions are in need of some additional cool air, I would highly recommend the Poraxy Electric Headrest Fan. It features dual 4″ fan heads that offer exceptional air flow and can be adjusted to face any direction in the back seat. It also has a built in regulator so you can adjust the amount of air its putting out. Not to mention its easy to install and mounts securely to any headrest.
Pros:
- Quick & Easy Install
- Mounts Securely to Any Headrest
- Quiet
- Powerful Fans
Cons:
- Only 2 Speed Levels
- Complaints of Fans Not Staying in Position
3) Cooling Car Seat Cover
Nothing is worse than sitting down on a hot seat, especially if its the middle of summer and you’re already sweating bullets! Fortunately for all of us, there is a solution: Cooling car seat covers!
Cooling car seat covers by Zone Tech are a great way to add some comfort to your vehicle even on the hottest of days. They’re easy to install and fit perfectly on most vehicle seats, making them a great way to stay cool while sleeping in your car in the summer. To use them, simply install on your seat, plug it into a 12V outlet, select the desired cooling setting, and enjoy. They work by circulating cool air through the entire cover which means no more sweaty legs and back while driving on a hot day.
Pros:
- Easy to Install
- Provides Comfort Even With No AC
- Comfortable
- Adjustable Cooling Levels
Cons:
- Doesn’t Help Cool Entire Car
- Limited Color Options
4) Windshield Sun Shade
A great way to keep your car cool while you’re not in it is by using a sun shade. A lot of us, including myself, fail to use these typically because they’re cumbersome. And oftentimes, if you don’t buy one specifically made for your car, the fit just isn’t all that great.
A1 Shades has solved these problems by creating a sunshade that can be easily adjusted to fit any windshield. Their sunshade is made from high-density polyester fabric which blocks out 99% of the suns harmful UV rays. This equates to a custom fit sunshade that keeps your car cooler and protected from the sun.
Simply attach the sun shade and extend it across the windshield. Its super quick and easy. Definitely check out the A1+ Windshield Sunshade on Amazon if you want all the benefits of a traditional sun shade without all the hassle!
Pros:
- Easy to Use
- Fits Most Vehicles
- Considerably Reduces Interior Heat
- Blocks UV Rays
- 30-Day Return Guarantee
Cons:
- Limited Color Options
5) Solar Power Ventilation Fan
A solar power ventilation fan is a great way to keep your car cool on a summer day. They work by extracting hot air out of your car and blowing fresh air in, keeping it cooler than it would be otherwise.
This solar power fan on Amazon is a great budget friendly way to knock off a few degrees from your cars interior. It mounts easily on any car window and can be installed in seconds. The solar panel on the back of the fan means there are no batteries or wires to fool with. Simply set it and forget it.
By keeping the interior of your car cooler prior to your arrival, you wont have to run your AC as long before your car reaches a comfortable atmosphere.
Pros:
- Easy to Install
- No Batteries or Wires to Contend With
- Budget Friendly
Cons:
- Will Not Drastically Reduce Temperature
6) Steering Wheel Cover Sun Shade
As mentioned earlier, putting your hands on a hot steering wheel is not a pleasant experience. This is especially true if you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to wait for it to cool down. And truth be told, traditional steering wheel covers do little to help with this problem unless you have one of those super thick furry ones that was popular back in the…..actually they were never popular.
Anyways, the Big Ant Steering Wheel Cover/Sun Shade available on Amazon, solves this problem by fully protecting your steering wheel from the suns brutal heat. It slips onto the steering wheel in no time at all and reduces its heat by up to 30 degrees! This means you’ll never again have to suffer with 3rd degree burns inflicted by a scorching steering wheel.
Pros:
- Keeps Steering Wheel Cool to the Touch
- Easy to Use
- Universal Fit
Cons:
- Does Not Help Reduce Heat in Car
7) Portable Air Conditioner
There are lots of portable air conditioners on the market such as window units (which I have seen installed on a van) and upright units, but none really work well for a vehicle. They just aren’t designed to be installed or used in any other setting than a house.
Fortunately for those of use struggling with our sauna on wheels, there is a unique solution to our dilemma: The Humutan Personal Air Cooler.
The Humutan Personal Air Cooler, available on Amazon, is an air cooler but also ha 3 other uses as well.- as an air humidifier, a desk fan, and a night light. It’s 700ml water tank can mist the air for 3-4 hours. This air cooler can be used on many occasions and can really help you out if you’re in a pinch.
Pros:
- 4 Main Uses
- Provides Quick Portable Cooling and Air Misting
- 700ml Water Tank
- Quiet
Cons:
- Has to Have Water in it to Work.
8) The Noggle
If you’ve never heard of The Noggle allow me to explain. The Noggle is a product that takes air from the vents in the front of the car and transports it to the backseat. It comes in 4 different colors/patterns and 3 different lengths to reach the backseat regardless of what vehicle you drive.
Whats cool about this product is that its flexible and can be pointed directly at any position in the car. If you have kids in the backseat, they can hold the Noggle directly at their face/body for maximum effect. Its super easy to install and works with all vent sizes and shapes. The Noggle works for AC as well as heat so regardless of what time of year it is, The Noggle is a great product for keeping your backseat passengers comfortable.
Pros:
- Available in 3 Different Lengths
- 4 Colors/Patterns to Choose From
- Kids Love It
- Easy to Install and Remove
- Use for AC and Heat
Cons:
- Does Not Seal to Vent
- Zip Ties Used in Installation
9) Whole Car Umbrella
Unfortunately, not all of us have a garage or a carport to park our vehicles under. And without any shade to protect our rides from the suns unrelenting heat, there’s only so much we can do to keep our vehicles interior temperature somewhat cool prior to our entrance. That is unless you make your own shade via a car umbrella!
A car umbrella is a great way to provide shade to your vehicle and keep it cool regardless of where its parked. One of the best ones I’ve been able to find is by Senllen. The Senllen Car Umbrella, available on Amazon, provides shade to your vehicle, is water proof, and holds up to wind, snow, and hail. Once its set up on your vehicle, you press a button via included remote control and the Senllen umbrella unfolds automatically to protect your vehicle from the elements.
Pros:
- Helps Keep Car Cool
- Blocks Harmful UV Rays
- Holds Up Against Wind, Hail, & Snow
- Can be Used Anywhere
Cons:
- Expensive
- May Not Cover Entire Vehicle (Depending on size)
10) Baby Car Seat Sunshade
Nothing is worse than climbing into a hot car and getting stuck to the scoring leather seats and getting burned by the seat belt buckles. This is not only an issue for adults, but for kids as well who are confined to a car seat or booster seat.
Mommy’s Helper Car Seat Sunshade is a product designed to help keep your child’s car seat or booster seat cooler during the summer months. It works just like a windshield sunshade by reflecting sunlight and preventing any heat from building up on the car seat itself. This prevents your child from being burned from any metal buckles or other components that may get too hot to touch during the summer heat.
Pros:
- Universal Fit
- Slip on Design is Easy to Install & Remove
- Keeps Car Seat Cool
- Prevents Burns From Seat Belt Buckles
- 30-Day Warranty
Cons:
- Doesn’t Help Keep Car Cool
- Can Be Difficult to Install Over Some Car Seats
11) Electric Beverage Cooler/Warmer
Ok, so this product will in no way, shape, or form contribute to a cooler temperature in your car. What it will do, however, is keep your favorite soda cool even when its 100 degrees in your car.
Zuckberg’s electric beverage cooler/warmer is a great way to keep your drinks cooler/warmer for longer, regardless of the surrounding temperature. It can hold cups or cans up to 2.75″ in diameter and can chill or heat them to temperatures of 21 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit! Now you can keep your coffee hot and your soda cold for as long as you like.
To use this product simply plug it into your 12V outlet, select your desired temperature and enjoy. This is perfect for long road trips or as a gift for friends and family.
Pros:
- Heats and Cools Beverages
- Easy to Use
- Holds Cans & Cups up to 2.75″ Diameter
Cons:
- Does Not Help Heat or Cool Your Car
- A Bit Pricy
In Conclusion
There you have it folks. 11 of the best gadgets to help keep your car cool this summer. I hope this list has helped you find a product or products that will work for you and keep you and your car a bit cooler. Be sure to check out the rest of the website for tons of useful information on how to stay comfortable in your vehicle. Thanks for reading!